Poker Orifice
Freeroller
Very helpful as I check out my options for a potential last minute planned trip to Vegas... in time for the Senior's events! Told my partner I will sell my motorcycle to finance a trip to the wsop (of course I made it clear I would be selling the bike 'after' the trip.... hey who knows... maybe I hit my first live MTT cash and don't come home completely busto???). From browsing this thread and Google Map, it looks like staying at Bally's is my best bet (< no pun intended 
). Still.. all told I think it's going to cost me ~$10k (Cdn.) for 10days (flight, food, hotel... and the tourneys I would like to play). Oh yah.. the bike's only worth $6.5k Too bad there aren't a gazillion promos online these days for winning packages to WSOP. Last time I went I was able to go for free (yah... I won $7,400 (cdn.) in a Freeroll on williamhill & actually left early to come back home)
). Still.. all told I think it's going to cost me ~$10k (Cdn.) for 10days (flight, food, hotel... and the tourneys I would like to play). Oh yah.. the bike's only worth $6.5k Too bad there aren't a gazillion promos online these days for winning packages to WSOP. Last time I went I was able to go for free (yah... I won $7,400 (cdn.) in a Freeroll on williamhill & actually left early to come back home)
IADaveMark
Rock Star
Ok... I'm sitting at the United Club at LAS looking at The Strip out the window so I figured I would give you my observations of what I discovered this past week.
First, the rooms are huge. Yes, much bigger than we had at the Rio. You thought the Pavilion room at the Rio was a lot of tables? The main room on the Paris side is massive. And THEN the Bally's side has 2 big ones as well. One of them is probably as large as the Pavilion was and the 2nd, just through a set of connecting doors, is about like Amazon or Bras tuilia was.
The walk between them isn't horrible at all. Just a few minutes. The only time you will have to be doing that in game is when they are breaking tables from one to the other. The huge events that have more than about 3000 at one time are actually split across the two sides and they will start breaking tables from one or the other depending on what the "final location" will be (at least for that day). I didn't have to do this, but they lead groups of people over there so you aren't just wandering around with chips. (BTW, they give you ziplocks for that trek instead of carrying them in racks. We've ALL spilled chips out of racks, right?)
I would very much recommend using the online registration and simply printing your seat cards at the billions of kiosks they have. Sure, there is a fee for using a CC but you can also deposit cash in your account and it will draw from that. But it beats some of the lines I saw for in-person registration. (And if you are worried about a $20 registration fee setting you back, you probably shouldn't be playing poker.)
The bathroom situation was startlingly good. I can't speak for the ladies since I'm a dude, but even when there was a line into the hall during the breaks on big events, it was constantly moving fast. There are plenty of facilities in them so the turnover is quick. One note on this, though. The one that is really close to the main Bally's room isn't as big. However, if you head down the hall back towards the main casino floor, there is a small one to the right and another decent sized one around the bar on the left (as if you were heading back over to Paris). I got into the habit of simply heading out for those when I was on break from a room in Bally's.
There are definitely a lot more food choices now. Over the course of the week, I kept exploring more of them.
For breakfast I was hitting everything from Cafe Americana (Paris casino floor) to Burger Brasserie (Bally's side) to actually getting a breakfast sandwich at Bobby's Burgers (Paris hallway). However, my late discovery was Alexxa's at Paris. The reason I didn't notice it originally was that it is on the other side of the Paris casino floor from where the room elevators are and the hallway to the convention floor. They are fantastic, however! I got a meat omelet twice that hit the table about 3 minutes after I placed the order. And they are fast for dinner as well. I had a flat iron steak with crisply brussels sprouts in about 6 minutes. Good food, great ambience (indoor and outdoor right across from the Bellagio fountains), and crazy fast.
For lunch and dinner, I hit a lot of different places. Right at the Y that splits the hallway from the Paris casino floor and elevators to where you can go to either the Paris poker room or the Bally's side is a quick WSOP grab-and-go place. This is different than the typical WSOP Cafe (of which they have on both sides). I would often grab sodas and a protein bar to fill my little pack for time at the table, but they also had sizeable pizza slices that I would just sit and eat there really quick.
I also hit Mon Ami Gabi for dinner one night (also far side of Paris casino floor). It was decent but not spectacular. (But maybe it was because I was on tilt.)
The aforementioned WSOP Cafes are tolerable. I don't like the tall narrow soda cans they have there (which is why I would go elsewhere to buy 20oz bottles).
Anyway, while a lot of us agreed that we really missed The Hash House and Burro Burracho at Rio, we were all generally pleased with what was nearby. (I was also really tempted to walk next door to PH and grab Earl of Sandwich... an example of options we didn't have at Rio.)
If you have any questions about specifics or more info, post them here.
First, the rooms are huge. Yes, much bigger than we had at the Rio. You thought the Pavilion room at the Rio was a lot of tables? The main room on the Paris side is massive. And THEN the Bally's side has 2 big ones as well. One of them is probably as large as the Pavilion was and the 2nd, just through a set of connecting doors, is about like Amazon or Bras tuilia was.
The walk between them isn't horrible at all. Just a few minutes. The only time you will have to be doing that in game is when they are breaking tables from one to the other. The huge events that have more than about 3000 at one time are actually split across the two sides and they will start breaking tables from one or the other depending on what the "final location" will be (at least for that day). I didn't have to do this, but they lead groups of people over there so you aren't just wandering around with chips. (BTW, they give you ziplocks for that trek instead of carrying them in racks. We've ALL spilled chips out of racks, right?)
I would very much recommend using the online registration and simply printing your seat cards at the billions of kiosks they have. Sure, there is a fee for using a CC but you can also deposit cash in your account and it will draw from that. But it beats some of the lines I saw for in-person registration. (And if you are worried about a $20 registration fee setting you back, you probably shouldn't be playing poker.)
The bathroom situation was startlingly good. I can't speak for the ladies since I'm a dude, but even when there was a line into the hall during the breaks on big events, it was constantly moving fast. There are plenty of facilities in them so the turnover is quick. One note on this, though. The one that is really close to the main Bally's room isn't as big. However, if you head down the hall back towards the main casino floor, there is a small one to the right and another decent sized one around the bar on the left (as if you were heading back over to Paris). I got into the habit of simply heading out for those when I was on break from a room in Bally's.
There are definitely a lot more food choices now. Over the course of the week, I kept exploring more of them.
For breakfast I was hitting everything from Cafe Americana (Paris casino floor) to Burger Brasserie (Bally's side) to actually getting a breakfast sandwich at Bobby's Burgers (Paris hallway). However, my late discovery was Alexxa's at Paris. The reason I didn't notice it originally was that it is on the other side of the Paris casino floor from where the room elevators are and the hallway to the convention floor. They are fantastic, however! I got a meat omelet twice that hit the table about 3 minutes after I placed the order. And they are fast for dinner as well. I had a flat iron steak with crisply brussels sprouts in about 6 minutes. Good food, great ambience (indoor and outdoor right across from the Bellagio fountains), and crazy fast.
For lunch and dinner, I hit a lot of different places. Right at the Y that splits the hallway from the Paris casino floor and elevators to where you can go to either the Paris poker room or the Bally's side is a quick WSOP grab-and-go place. This is different than the typical WSOP Cafe (of which they have on both sides). I would often grab sodas and a protein bar to fill my little pack for time at the table, but they also had sizeable pizza slices that I would just sit and eat there really quick.
I also hit Mon Ami Gabi for dinner one night (also far side of Paris casino floor). It was decent but not spectacular. (But maybe it was because I was on tilt.)
The aforementioned WSOP Cafes are tolerable. I don't like the tall narrow soda cans they have there (which is why I would go elsewhere to buy 20oz bottles).
Anyway, while a lot of us agreed that we really missed The Hash House and Burro Burracho at Rio, we were all generally pleased with what was nearby. (I was also really tempted to walk next door to PH and grab Earl of Sandwich... an example of options we didn't have at Rio.)
If you have any questions about specifics or more info, post them here.
Poker Orifice
Freeroller
Cheap'ish' accommodation in Vegas within close proximity to WSOP??
I'd like to go to Vegas for 3 weeks but would prefer to do so on a budget.
How do I go about getting comps or deals? 'Fees'... is there a way in which to have fees waived?
Any thoughts/ideas on other types of accommodation? (1 month rental)?
thanks.
I'd like to go to Vegas for 3 weeks but would prefer to do so on a budget.
How do I go about getting comps or deals? 'Fees'... is there a way in which to have fees waived?
Any thoughts/ideas on other types of accommodation? (1 month rental)?
thanks.
Pokerstudy
Legend
This is a great video about scams and rip-offs in Las Vegas!
I check in my bag at Caesars Palace and tip 10 to take it (then get a tag) and 10 back once I retrieve it. Located outside by the taxi pickups. Love that service there!
lol I am also so that dude that goes to CVS or Walgreens and gets a sandwich and snacks, I keep it cheap when I visit.
lol I am also so that dude that goes to CVS or Walgreens and gets a sandwich and snacks, I keep it cheap when I visit.
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pansipos
Rock Star
Years ago I played music in America. I performed in a show in Las Vegas, but I went to many places to eat and drink with my friends.
I like Cosmo as well.
Debi
Forum Admin
Administrator
What kind of performance was it?
pansipos
Rock Star
I am a panflute player. www.kegye.com
MackemMan
Rock Star
Excalibur
Stayed here on numerous occasions, most recently May 2022 but I'm afraid I will not be staying there again as they have removed the Poker Room. It was never a place for the serious players and was more like for new starters.
The Hotel itself is, as some have said, dated and could do with a spruce up. Rooms are reasonable but be aware of the resort fees which I thought were extortionate (worked out around $35 per night). Then again, most of the hotels on the strip charge these fees.
The one thing we rarely did was eat in the hotel. MacDonald's used to operate on the 1st floor but they pulled out a few years back but the choices of food are not too bad with a variety of choices.
Was also not happy with paying over $9 for a bottle of budweiser (I know, I know....I shudda played the slots).
Overall. Not a bad place to stay and to be fair you could get a 3 day pass for the buses for around $26. I agree what with what others have said regards walking. If your going to walk far, wear comfortable shoes/trainers. If your bored walk across to the MGM which is absolutely huge.
Stayed here on numerous occasions, most recently May 2022 but I'm afraid I will not be staying there again as they have removed the Poker Room. It was never a place for the serious players and was more like for new starters.
The Hotel itself is, as some have said, dated and could do with a spruce up. Rooms are reasonable but be aware of the resort fees which I thought were extortionate (worked out around $35 per night). Then again, most of the hotels on the strip charge these fees.
The one thing we rarely did was eat in the hotel. MacDonald's used to operate on the 1st floor but they pulled out a few years back but the choices of food are not too bad with a variety of choices.
Was also not happy with paying over $9 for a bottle of budweiser (I know, I know....I shudda played the slots).
Overall. Not a bad place to stay and to be fair you could get a 3 day pass for the buses for around $26. I agree what with what others have said regards walking. If your going to walk far, wear comfortable shoes/trainers. If your bored walk across to the MGM which is absolutely huge.
Pokerstudy
Legend
I stay at the Flamingo, because it is predictable and awesome, 50 dollar deposit, which they pay back after 1 business day, cheap room rates through priceline (VIP), great service (I always leave a $10 tip) Flamingo is perfect, you walk out and are ready to navigate to all the poker rooms, Caesars is just across the street, everything is within walking distance, the CVS for cheap food is just a walkbridge away. Flamingo is the only place I care to stay at Cheap reasonable room rates, awesome service, and located perfectly for a poker player.
Cheap reasonable room rates, awesome service, and located perfectly for a poker player.
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Emily Trott
Visionary
I recently went to Vegas to play poker tournaments and celebrate my 70th birthday. I had a wonderful four full days there after flying in on Wednesday, and flying home on Monday. When I travel to tournaments, like my monthly trip up to New Hampshire, my main meal of the day is breakfast and I like to eat it in diners. Before going I did some web searching and found a couple that I checked out with people who lived out there on another forum.
Thursday morning I went to Vickie's Diner at 953 E Sahara Ave before going to play a $75.00 tourney at the Horseshoe on the strip. I was staying at Harrah's so I took the monorail up to the Sahara, and then walked the one and a quarter mile to Vickie's. It was a cold walk with the heavy wind making the upper forties temperature feel like it was in the twenties. I had my fall and spring jacket but was wishing that I'd hauled my parka along for the trip.
It is much larger than this picture shows because I wanted to use a picture with both the counter and some of the comfortable booths. The atmosphere was just like a diner is supposed to be, friendly and warm. The service was wonderful, and my coffee mug never reached the half full mark before the waitress topped it off.
I love homefries with my poached eggs on wheat toast with sausage, and they were the best that I have ever had. The waitress told me that they first cook the potato and then slice it relatively thin, before cooking it on the grill to your choice of crisp or soft. I went with the soft, and they were more than happy to add a generous helping of onions on them upon my request. When asked how I wanted my poached eggs cooked I told them that I wanted the whites cooked fully with the yolk runny inside, and they were perfect.
If you enjoy getting away from the strip, and it's prices, for your meals you won't be disappointed with anything at Vickie's Diner.
www.yelp.com
Vickie's Diner Menu & Website as of 3/20/2023
Friday, the morning of my birthday, I was planning to have a nice dinner so I got up early and at 8:30am I walked over to Caesar's to play their 10:00am tournament. I figured that would give me enough time afterwards to go back to Harrah's, put on a dress, fix my face, and catch an Uber so I'd be at Herbs & Rye (3713 W Sahara Ave) for my 6:45 reservation. Everything worked perfectly!
When I arrived at 6:30pm there were five or six parties waiting ahead of me for tables, it was after all "happy hour" from opening at 5pm to closing at 3am. The steaks were at half price which made the price a little more within my budget. Since my friend who was supposed to dine with me couldn't make it, and I didn't want to take up a table by myself, I asked the hostess if I could eat in the bar. She said that I certainly could and to tell the head bartender that I'd had a reservation.
The bar was full as well, so he told me it wouldn't be long and gave me a menu. The decor was dark wood that gave the room a warm feeling, and the wooden bar must have been a good 30" wide so there was plenty of room for plates and baskets of delicious bread. The ten minute or so wait flew by as I read about all the traditional cocktails they specialize in, and before I knew it I was seated at the bar, ordered an old fashioned, and the 16oz ribeye with sweet potato tots.
The steak was absolutely delicious and was seasoned perfectly, and the sweet potato tots were excellent. They don't skimp on the drinks, and my old fashioned had wonderful taste and lasted through the meal. I was too full for dessert, but before I tipped the bartender and left I asked about the pair of boxing gloves that were hanging from a shelf high above the bar. They were a memento, like you'll find in many establishments, and had an interesting story to go with them.
People in Las Vegas are lucky to have an establishment like Herbs & Rye in town, and it is definitely the place for a romantic evening enjoying one of their classic cocktails, along with a fine meal. The bartenders pour with a heavy hand and the drinks are large.
www.yelp.com
Herbs & Rye Menu and Website - as of 3/20/2023
Saturday was going to be a big day with breakfast at Lou's Diner (431 S Decatur Blvd), a 10am tournament at South Point casino, and meeting my friend for drinks there at six. Uber was going to do well by me that day.
All good diners are busy on Saturday mornings, and Lou's is definitely not an exception to that rule. I got there early so that I could snag a booth and it was nice and comfortable. Along with the menu and my mug of coffee, the waitress placed a small plate with four samples of their homemade jams and two or three packs of crackers. I ate the two in the foreground and the were absolutely divine. Hindsight is twenty twenty and I wish that I'd picked up a jar of the tropical blend one. Well now I'll have to go back to Vegas again.
The eggs were good but were cooked through so if you like them runny as I do it would be a good thing to mention when ordering. They had no problem at all with adding some onions upon request but, at least for me, they were a little stingy with them. I'm probably a little unusual as I really like onions and will even eat them on their own and not as an addition to another food. The homefries were tasty for a little dry for me, which isn't unusual with most of the diners I've ever been to. I think that next time I'll have the hash browns because they looked delicious.
Lou's is a nice diner with a family atmosphere and it is definitely on my list anytime that I'm in town.
www.yelp.com
Lou's Diner Menu & Website - as of 3/20/2023
I hope that I haven't bored you with this essay but I tend to drone on and on sometimes. I'll follow up later on with my experiences at the poker tournaments and some other gambling that I did. Until that time have yourselves a wonderful day!
Thursday morning I went to Vickie's Diner at 953 E Sahara Ave before going to play a $75.00 tourney at the Horseshoe on the strip. I was staying at Harrah's so I took the monorail up to the Sahara, and then walked the one and a quarter mile to Vickie's. It was a cold walk with the heavy wind making the upper forties temperature feel like it was in the twenties. I had my fall and spring jacket but was wishing that I'd hauled my parka along for the trip.
It is much larger than this picture shows because I wanted to use a picture with both the counter and some of the comfortable booths. The atmosphere was just like a diner is supposed to be, friendly and warm. The service was wonderful, and my coffee mug never reached the half full mark before the waitress topped it off.
I love homefries with my poached eggs on wheat toast with sausage, and they were the best that I have ever had. The waitress told me that they first cook the potato and then slice it relatively thin, before cooking it on the grill to your choice of crisp or soft. I went with the soft, and they were more than happy to add a generous helping of onions on them upon my request. When asked how I wanted my poached eggs cooked I told them that I wanted the whites cooked fully with the yolk runny inside, and they were perfect.
If you enjoy getting away from the strip, and it's prices, for your meals you won't be disappointed with anything at Vickie's Diner.
Vickies Diner - Las Vegas, NV
Delivery & Pickup Options - 87 reviews of Vickies Diner "Grand opening at new location at 953 E. Sahara, Las Vegas, NV. Great space and great food!"
www.yelp.com
Friday, the morning of my birthday, I was planning to have a nice dinner so I got up early and at 8:30am I walked over to Caesar's to play their 10:00am tournament. I figured that would give me enough time afterwards to go back to Harrah's, put on a dress, fix my face, and catch an Uber so I'd be at Herbs & Rye (3713 W Sahara Ave) for my 6:45 reservation. Everything worked perfectly!
When I arrived at 6:30pm there were five or six parties waiting ahead of me for tables, it was after all "happy hour" from opening at 5pm to closing at 3am. The steaks were at half price which made the price a little more within my budget.
Since my friend who was supposed to dine with me couldn't make it, and I didn't want to take up a table by myself, I asked the hostess if I could eat in the bar. She said that I certainly could and to tell the head bartender that I'd had a reservation.The bar was full as well, so he told me it wouldn't be long and gave me a menu. The decor was dark wood that gave the room a warm feeling, and the wooden bar must have been a good 30" wide so there was plenty of room for plates and baskets of delicious bread. The ten minute or so wait flew by as I read about all the traditional cocktails they specialize in, and before I knew it I was seated at the bar, ordered an old fashioned, and the 16oz ribeye with sweet potato tots.
The steak was absolutely delicious and was seasoned perfectly, and the sweet potato tots were excellent. They don't skimp on the drinks, and my old fashioned had wonderful taste and lasted through the meal. I was too full for dessert, but before I tipped the bartender and left I asked about the pair of boxing gloves that were hanging from a shelf high above the bar. They were a memento, like you'll find in many establishments, and had an interesting story to go with them.
People in Las Vegas are lucky to have an establishment like Herbs & Rye in town, and it is definitely the place for a romantic evening enjoying one of their classic cocktails, along with a fine meal. The bartenders pour with a heavy hand and the drinks are large.
Herbs & Rye - Las Vegas, NV
Specialties: Specializing in the craft of the cocktail with all hand pressed juices a large selection of great spirits, House made bitters etc. These are just some of the few compliments to Help the barmen behind the stick at Herbs and Rye. Excellent Italian cuisine, Steaks, Chops and Tuscan...
www.yelp.com
Saturday was going to be a big day with breakfast at Lou's Diner (431 S Decatur Blvd), a 10am tournament at South Point casino, and meeting my friend for drinks there at six. Uber was going to do well by me that day.
All good diners are busy on Saturday mornings, and Lou's is definitely not an exception to that rule. I got there early so that I could snag a booth and it was nice and comfortable. Along with the menu and my mug of coffee, the waitress placed a small plate with four samples of their homemade jams and two or three packs of crackers. I ate the two in the foreground and the were absolutely divine. Hindsight is twenty twenty and I wish that I'd picked up a jar of the tropical blend one. Well now I'll have to go back to Vegas again.
The eggs were good but were cooked through so if you like them runny as I do it would be a good thing to mention when ordering. They had no problem at all with adding some onions upon request but, at least for me, they were a little stingy with them. I'm probably a little unusual as I really like onions and will even eat them on their own and not as an addition to another food.
The homefries were tasty for a little dry for me, which isn't unusual with most of the diners I've ever been to. I think that next time I'll have the hash browns because they looked delicious. Lou's is a nice diner with a family atmosphere and it is definitely on my list anytime that I'm in town.
Lou's Diner - Las Vegas, NV
Specialties: We are open for over 40 years and famous for great comfort food and reasonable prices. Lou's Diner is truly a place where you are always feel welcomed and right at home! We always have daily specials. Come and try our homemade chicken noodle soup on Tuesdays and Sundays, and...
www.yelp.com
I hope that I haven't bored you with this essay but I tend to drone on and on sometimes.
I'll follow up later on with my experiences at the poker tournaments and some other gambling that I did. Until that time have yourselves a wonderful day! 
Jillychemung
Stacks & Stacks
Loyaler
I recently went to Vegas to play poker tournaments and celebrate my 70th birthday. I had a wonderful four full days there after flying in on Wednesday, and flying home on Monday.
...
I hope that I haven't bored you with this essay but I tend to drone on and on sometimes.
Thanks for the excellent UCAP.
Emily Trott
Visionary
You're very welcome.